Transgender subjected to 'torture' in Peshawar

Case has been registered, investigation into matter underway, police say

PESHAWAR: Arman, a transgender person, was allegedly subjected to 'severe torture' by assailants in Peshawar on Sunday.

The incident took place within the jurisdiction of the Banamarhi Police Station last night.

The police's response, however, was limited to only registering a daily diary report.

Talking to The Express Tribune, a transgender rights activist Taimur Kamal said that the victim along with four others including Sayal, Maxi, Shiraz and Gurya were returning after attending a music programme at a wedding ceremony.

Subsequently, they were intercepted on their way back by the accused persons identified as Zeeshan, Nisar, Shakil at gun point after which they were tortured and Rs2,000 was snatched from them.



“Zeeshan has been booked in at least three police reports in different police stations across the city for attacking members of the marginalised community,” Kamal said.

He added that the accused forced the transgender and their guru to leave their respectable professions to coerce them into taking back the case registered against him.

"No one cares about the violence against transgender persons, two days ago a transgender was shot dead in Mansehra and the police actually aided the culprit in fleeing who was caught by local there," he lamented.

"Since 2015, there have been more than 57 reported killings of members of the community in the province and many more have been killed which haven't been reported," the rights activist said.

A local police official told The Express Tribune that a case has been registered in this regard and an investigation is underway.